Did you know that it is possible to gain a qualification based on your work and life experiences through our Further Education and Training (FET) Service? It’s called Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and we were one of the first Education and Training Boards in the country to provide this process (and win an award along the way!). But what does RPL mean and what does it involve? In this blog, our RPL Coordinator Siobhán Murray tells us more about it.
Have you ever felt like your practical skills and real-world experiences need to be acknowledged more? Are you someone who has gained significant work/ life experience but lacks a certificate to showcase all the hard work and effort you put in over the years? Enter Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), a game-changing opportunity offered by Donegal Education and Training Board (ETB) since 2016. RPL is more than just a formal confirmation of your existing knowledge – it’s a pathway to unlocking your potential and advancing your education and career.
At Donegal ETB, we take pride in our pioneering role as one of the first ETBs in Ireland to fully integrate RPL into our Further Education Training Services, starting in 2022. RPL plays a pivotal role in our Enterprise Engagement initiatives, offering a diverse range of progression pathways for individuals seeking to advance their education and careers. So, what exactly is RPL, and why should it matter to you?
RPL is your chance to showcase the skills and expertise you’ve acquired through work, community engagement, or personal hobbies. It’s a call to all individuals looking to upskill and reskill, saying, “Hey, your real-life experiences hold immense value, and we’re here to give them the credit they deserve!”
Since 2016, our RPL provision has empowered over a thousand applicants to achieve formal qualifications at NFQ Levels 5 and 6 following the process outlined in our toolkit. This empowerment isn’t just about individual success—it’s about strengthening our communities by recognising the wealth of talent and knowledge that already exists. RPL has helped hundreds of healthcare workers in Donegal to secure their positions by achieving Level 5 Healthcare Majors. Last year (2023), a key focus was to support childcare workers achieve their Level 6 qualifications, ensuring the continued operation of childcare centres as well as career advancement, due to core funding changes in this sector. RPL has been a lifeline for those facing redundancy to get the qualifications they needed to find new opportunities. We are also supporting individuals in fields like finance, business, community development, tourism, to name a few.
Most individuals have acquired skills through informal and non-formal training, such as workplace learning and professional development. RPL offers the chance to acknowledge these skills officially. For instance, a recent Software Development applicant sought formal recognition of industry certificates to demonstrate ongoing proficiency in a rapidly evolving field. By enabling validation of these prior certifications, they remain relevant despite industry changes.
Many RPL applicants have achieved advanced entry onto degree programmes having completed a major award at Level 6 through RPL. These success stories aren’t isolated incidents; they’re symbolic of the transformative impact RPL can have on individuals and industries alike.
But RPL isn’t just for those facing immediate career challenges; it’s for anyone seeking a flexible and efficient way to gain a qualification. Unlike traditional classroom-based learning, RPL allows you to fast-track your certification by leveraging your existing expertise. With the guidance of our dedicated RPL mentors, you’ll compile a portfolio of evidence showcasing your skills, knowledge, and achievements. This evidence is then rigorously assessed using identical quality-assured standards as our taught programmes, ensuring that everyone receives the same high-calibre certification.
RPL is the flip of the classroom—the moment where you, the expert, step forward to prove your proficiency. It bridges the gap between real-life experiences and formal recognition, offering a flexible and accessible route to achieving your educational and career goals. After all, why sit in a classroom to learn what you already know? Here’s what some of our applicants have said:
“I went straight into the workplace after school, so I never had the opportunity to get any higher-level qualifications. The Recognition of Prior Learning training gave me the opportunity to get a qualification and I now have my QQI Level 5 major award, which I’m delighted with. The training is great for people like me who have experience working…, but don’t have the formal qualifications. The training has had a very positive impact on my work.”
Another RPL applicant noted:
“Last year, I achieved my Level 6 major award and achieved distinctions in all eight modules … and that was an immensely proud moment for me personally in that finally I was getting the recognition I knew I deserved for all my years of work and dedication.”
So, if you’re ready to unlock your potential and embark on a journey of self-discovery and advancement, our RPL Provision is here to guide you every step of the way. Reach out to our Recognition of Prior Learning Coordinator, Siobhán Murray by email (rpl@donegaletb.ie) or telephone (074 9120592) and take the first step towards a brighter future today.